Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1887-12-22
A CHRISTMAS In MEXICO.
By NICHOLAS RIDDLE.

BY NICHOLAS BIDDLE.
A light touch on the shoulder, and
the words: "Why, senior, it is indeed a
pleasure to see YOU here, interrupted the
dismal reverie into which had fallen
last Christmas morning.
For several hours l had been walking
to and fro through the little town OF
San Marcial, New Mexico, wondering
what to do with myself to kill time,
and thinking sadly Of the merry Christ
mas festivities of my eastern home and
the pleasure with which | had always
hitherto looked forward to the day.
| had arrived in San Marcial on
Christmas Eve from my cabin in the
Magdalena Mountains, fifty miles dis
tant, in the hope of finding some pleas
urable excitement, but the bright warm
morning with which Christmas was ush
cred in brought only disappointment.
I had imagined San Marcial to be .
considerable town, with some genuine
attractions, but l found the new or
American town to be composed OF rail-
road depot, saloon and half dozen
frame dwellings Of mean pretensions.
The Mexican town, u couple OF miles
lower down the river, was but little
larger and stroll through its dusty
streets revealed nothing of interest, and
few signs of life beyond few half
naked children playing in the dirt,
some stray pigs wandering around in a
most disconsolate fashion, and large
number of ill-tempered cuis, that
growled ferociously upon my approach.
l must have looked extremely de-
iected as I walked around, . and my de-
lection was real until felt touch on
my shoulder and was suddenly enchanted
by the thought Of seeing some one with
whom was acquainted.
! turned and found young Mexican
named Encarnacion holding out his hand
in friendly salutation.
/ had known Encarnacion for nearly
two years and had become greatly at
tached to kim.
While in my employ for a period OF
nearly two years, he had proven faith
full and devoted servant and had made
himself almost invaluable. Moreover he
was an excellent Indian fighter, and In
several skirmishes my life had been
saved by his bravery and knowledge of
the enemy's methods. He was also a
pleasant companion and many long even
ings were enlivened by his stories Of
Mexican life and adventure. Ihad often
listened with quiet amusement to his
glowing descriptions of the pleasures and
attractions Of the hamlet where he was
born. and he never tired of narrating
with poetic detail how beautiful was the
young girl whom he was to marry. He
had set out with the intention of accn-
mulating few hundred dollars, with
winch to build house to receive his
bride. who had refused him, he said, on
account Of his poverty, but had promised
to become his when he should return
! with the small amount on which Mexl-
can is content to live. AS he had earned
even more than seemed sufficient, and he
had left me saying proudly that the
most beautiful woman in the world
would soon become his bride, my first
question was as to whether he was mar
ried.
..Helas! senor," he replied, ''when
returned I foundmy beloved Yda cold as
ice. She refused me scornfully, and
fear from her actions that she has learned
to love another. All, that such a thing
should come to passl l can no more be
happy.n He had scarcely spoken before
his tone changed with that mutability
that shows the trace of Spanish blood il
the Mexicans. With cordiality ano
politeness that MexiCans even OF thu
lowest station always show, he continued
81 am very glad, senor, that you SHOULD
have come to San Marcial on this day.
shall deem it a great honor to myself ant
my father il you will take dinner with u
in our humble home in the placi5G acros
the river. feel sure that should yol
deign to accept can make the day
pleasant one"
accepted the invitation, and we wer
soon in d little boat rowing across thu
h Rio Grande to the hamlet on the othe
side-a hamlet SO small that it was no
even named, but was designated as tn
plucitu OF little village
After landing and walking about hal
mile over q dusty road, we came to tn
cluster Of one story houses built of adob
or mud brick which composed theptdeitd
that resembles in all respects except si2
the other Mexican vii ages of the terri
tory, having similar looking building
with similar strings of drled chile hang
ing by the doors, similar scantily cla,
children and similar savage dogs.
Saying we would find his father in tn
store, EncarDacion led me toa buildin!
in front Of which hung a sign with th
legend, Ia Tienda Chihuahuense d
Miguel y Baca, z under which was sus
pended very poor quarter Of beef, which
was covered with iiies and looked any
thing but appetizing.
The cntrlnce to the store was SO loy
that we were obliged to stoop to get in
= The place was small and had q low cell
ing made Of rough rafters Joined witt
mud; the ce--eter consisted Of acoupl'